LUCKNOW, May 12 -- A 35-year-old salesman at a liquor shop was allegedly beaten to death with an iron rod in Lucknow's Malihabad area on Monday morning after he reportedly refused to sell alcohol before the shop had opened. "The incident took place around 8:30 am in Dhedehmau village under Malihabad police station limits. The deceased was identified as Ajay Jaiswal alias Rinku, a resident of Saiyyad Bara. Another man, identified as Rajjan, 35 was injured while trying to intervene and is currently undergoing treatment," said the Police statement. CCTV footage of the incident captured the assault. In the video, the accused is seen repeatedly attacking the salesman with an iron rod before fleeing the scene while brandishing the weapon. According to police, the accused has been identified as Nanakke Kashyap, a resident of the same village who lived near the liquor outlet. He was later arrested. "Preliminary investigation revealed that Kashyap allegedly demanded liquor before the shop opened. When Ajay refused, an argument broke out following which the accused attacked him with the rod, targeting his head," said DCP North Gopal Choudhary. Police said Ajay collapsed at the scene after sustaining severe head injuries and died from excessive bleeding before help could arrive. A forensic team was called in to collect evidence, while additional police personnel were deployed in the area to prevent any tension. Family members said Ajay had been working at the liquor shop for nearly two years. The murder has also revived allegations of illegal liquor sales in the area. Villagers claimed that both country liquor and foreign liquor shops routinely sell alcohol illegally late into the night through makeshift openings in shop walls. Locals also alleged that unauthorised liquor canteens remain operational until around midnight, with customers often being charged inflated prices. Residents demanded strict action from the excise department and district administration against the alleged illegal activities taking place around liquor outlets....